Attachments for preventing fuel pilferage and incorrect fuel supply

ABSTRACT

Interacting attachments for both a fuel filler pipe for a tank to be supplied with fuel, and a fuel pump nozzle. The attachment on the nozzle interacts with a mating attachment in the filler pipe of a vehicle to open a nozzle closure element, without, however, the mating attachment interfering with the standard fuel pump nozzles being used at gasoline filling stations. The attachments are also designed to prevent the accidental supplying of the wrong fuel to the tank, such as diesel fuel instead of ordinary gasoline.

United States Patent 1191 Slavin 1 ATTACHMENTS FOR PREVENTING FUEL PILFERAGE AND INCORRECT FUEL SUPPLY [75] Inventor: James A. Slavin, New York, NY.

[73] Assignee: Albert C. Nolte. Jr.. Jericho. NY.

a part interest [22] Filed: Oct. 20. 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 299,390

Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Scr, No. 129.800. March 31.

1971. abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl. 141/346: 137/3842: 251/1491) [51] Int. Cl B6511 3/04 [58] Field of Search 137/3842. 384.6. 384.8:

141/98, 207, 208, 291-296. 346-354; 220/86 AT. 55 K. 55 Z, 55 W. 55 Y; 222/74, 153. 517, 536. 537; 251/1492. [49.6. 149.71285/93 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.979.850 ll/l934 Young ct al. 141/346 llll 3,880,214

l l Apr. 29, 1975 2 73l.278 1/1956 Soderstrom i. 251/149] 2 802.492 8/1957 Gosselin r r r .t 141/346 X "4 730.216 5/1973 Arnett ct al, 251/1492 X Primur Examiner-Houston 5. Bell. Jr. Assistant Examiner-Frederick R. Schmidt Armrney. Agent, or Firm-Nolte and Nolte [57] ABSTRACT Interacting attachments for both a fuel filler pipe for a tank to be supplied with fuel. and a fuel pump nozzle The attachment on the nozzle interacts with a mating attachment in the filler pipe of a vehicle to open a nozzle closure element, without. however. the mating attachment interfering with the standard fuel pump nozzles being used at gasoline filling stations. The attachments are also designed to prevent the accidental supplying of the wrong fuel to the tank. such as diesel fuel instead of ordinary gasoline.

8 Claims. 17 Drawing Figures PATENTEBAPRZHI S 3.880.214

SHEET 1!]? 4 TITS .42?

INVENTOR fine-5 A. J2 A vnv NEYS ATTACHMENTS FOR PREVENTING FUEL PILFERAGE AND INCORRECT FUEL SUPPLY This is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 129.800. filed Mar. 3|, I971 now abandoned.

The present invention relates to an arrangement whereby the attachments on the respective fuel filler pipe and fuel pump nozzle interfit to permit the open ing of a nozzle closure element and allow the fuel to be discharged from the pump nozzle to the fuel filler pipe of the tank.

It is an object of the present invention to provide interfitting attachments on a fuel pump nozzle and a fuel filler pipe respectively which permits only a fuel tank having a filler pipe provided with the attachment to be connected to a pump nozzle incorporating a corresponding attachment. thereby opening the closure and permitting fuel to be supplied to the fuel tank.

Another object of the present invention is to provide corresponding projections and slots on the fuel filler pipe and fuel pump nozzle respectively which have a configuration that permits only the supplying of the correct fuel to the fuel tank.

A further object of the present invention is to provide easily observed alignable indicators on the fuel pump nozzle and fuel filler pipe for readily determining the home position of the nozzle and pipe with both accuracy and speed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure in the fuel filler pipe neck which holds the nozzle closure element in an open position.

A further object of the present invention is, in one embodiment thereof, to provide a multiplicity of projecting pivoting catches which are normally biased against the inside wall of the nozzle attachment and engage in an annular groove therein, thus preventing the fuel valve, upon which the catches are mounted, from being normally forced open.

In conjunction with the pivoting catches, another object of the present invention is to provide a fuel filler pipe attachment in the form of a discontinuous ring with a plurality of spaced projections thereon for opening the nozzle valve. The ring can be easily inserted and fixed within the tiller pipe.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide attachments for fuel filler pipes that have various numbers of projections and arrangements for different vehicle fleet operations.

In another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a novel linearly slidable key cylinder or block on the nozzle. and operable via a key projection in the filler pipe to open the nozzle closure.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this application and in which:

FIG. I is an exploded view of the closure attachments for a fuel filler pipe and a fuel pump nozzle in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the assembled attachments shown in FIG. 1, but prior to the insertion of the fuel pump nozzle in the fuel filler pipe;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view similar to FIG. 2, but with the fuel pump nozzle inserted within the fuel filler pipe and closure attachments opened to permit the flow of fuel;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial. enlarged sectional view showing the pivoting latches in a closed condition;

FIG. 6 is a partial, enlarged sectional view showing the pivoting latches in an open condition taken along the lines 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 80, 8b and 8c are top plan views. respectively. of different arrangements of the upstanding projections on the discontinuous ring;

FIG. 9a is a top plan view of upstanding projections on a discontinuous ring which is keyed for a particular type type of fuel;

FIG. 9b is a side elevation view of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the closure attachment for a fuel filler pipe and a fuel pump nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of the invention and utilizing a key projection and lock construction;

FIG. II is a partial sectional view of the nozzle and closure attachment shown in FIG. l0;

FIG. I2 is a sectional view taken along the line of 12-12 of FIG. ll;

FIG. I3 is a bottom plan view of the nozzle closure attachment of FIGS. 10-12 showing the inner periphery of a fuel filler pipe in broken lines; and

FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view ofa nozzle closure attachment in the open position with the key projection positioned to unlock the lock.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. l-3, a fuel filler pipe 10 is shown which extends from a vehicle chassis 12. The pipe 10 has an open end l4 through which a tube extension attachment 16 on a fuel pump nozzle 22 is inserted. The tube extension I6 is attached in any well known manner to the fuel pump nozzle 22. It should be noted that other means of attachment of the tube extension [6 to the nozzle 22, such as by screw threads. may be employed within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. I. a conically-shaped closure valve 24 shown provided with a plurality of notches 26 spaced around the periphery thereof and having latches 28 therein. As seen in FIGS. 5-7, the latches 28 are pivotedv at 30 and are provided with springs 32 that normally bias the latches 28 in an outward direction. The valve 24 is further provided with openings 34, the purpose of which will be set forth in detail hereinafter. Projecting from the valve 24 is a circular post 36. A crossbar 38 is shown which is inserted and fixed within the tube extension 16 and has a depending circular post 40 of essentially the same configuration as circular post 36. Surrounding the circular posts 36 and 40 is a compression spring 42. Thus, the compression spring 42 hiuses the valve 24 into a closed position in the opening 44 of the tube extension 16. as seen in FIG. 2. The latches 28 additionally maintain the valve 24 in this closed position, as will be explained hereinafter. It will be noted that there is also a spring-pressed ball type latching projection 46 on the outer surface of the tube extension I6.

The attachment fixed within the fuel filler pipe 10 is a discontinuous ring 48 having upstanding projections 50. The compressible ring 48 is easily inserted in the fuel filler pipe 10 adjacent to the open end 14 thereof and secured therein in any well-known manner. such as by a fast-bonding. high strength adhesive. Secured to the ring 48, across the opening thereof is a concave mesh disc 49 which functions to prevent siphoning of the fuel. The mesh openings are of a diameter to permit the substantially unimpeded flow of fuel through the filler pipe 10.

As seen in FIG. 3, the tube extension 16 is inserted within the filler pipe with the latching projection 46 engaged behind the edge of the open end 14 of the filler pipe 10. Thus. when the openings 34 through the bottom of the valve 24 are aligned with the upstanding projections 50 on the ring 48 fixed in the filler pipe 10. the projections 50 pass through the openings 34 and respectively engage latches 28, and as seen in FIG. 6, pivots the same against the pressure of the springs 32, which are weaker than compression spring 42, whereby the latches are pivoted upwardly on pivots 30 and clear the annular groove 29 in the extension nozzle 16. Morover. the valve 24 is elevated from its valve seat in the extension nozzle 16 against the pressure of compression spring 42. When this occurs. the fuel in nozzle 22 and the tube extension 16 passes in the direction of the arrows illustrated in FIG. 3 and into the filler pipe As seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the tube extension 16 is provided with a passage 18 which opens to the exterior of the tube extension 16 at 18a. at one end thereof. and communicates at the end 18b with the opening 20 in the pump nozzle 22. Thus. as seen in FIG. 3, an unobstructed air passage is formed leading from the fuel filler pipe 10 to the pump nozzle 22 to thereby ensure the automatic closing of the valve (not shown) in the fuel nozzle and the shut-off of the fuel supply to the 'pipe 10 when the fuel tank is filled and the fuel rises in the pipe 10 to cover the opening 18a of the passage 18. The fuel shut-off arrangement is known in the art and the present construction merely extends the length of the passage 18 from the pump nozzle 22 to the tube extension 16.

The tube extension 16 is provided with a scribe mark 52 on the outer periphery thereof which is adapted to be aligned with another scribe mark 54 on the fuel filler pipe 10 so that the upstanding projections 50 are properly aligned to pass through the openings 34 in the valve 24.

FIGS. 8a. 8b and 80 show different arrangements of the upstanding projections 50 on the ring 48. In this connection the two projections 50 in FIG. 8a are diametrically opposite and in FIG. 8b the three projections 50 are at approximately 90 to each other while in FIG. 8c the three projections 52 are at approximately 120 to each other.

FIGS. 90 and 9!: show upstanding projections 53 which are perpendicular to the plane of the projection. Thus, for example. the ring 48 with the projections 50 can be used for ordinary gasoline while the ring 48 with the projections 53 may be utilized for diesel fuel and since the configurations are different there is no possibility that diesel fuel may be supplied to the fuel tank instead of gasoline. or vice versa.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention. shown in FIGS. 10-14, a key operated and locking closure device 60 is secured via integral collar 62 by any conventional means. not shown. to the end of nozzle 61. Of course. a locking and closure portion of the device 60. to be described. could be manufactured as part of the nozzle or secured thereto by means other than an integral collar. 1

The lock housing 63 pivotally supports a closure cap 66 at a peripheral extension 67 thereof via pivot pin carried by the housing. Within the cavity C of the housing 63 there is disposed a lock slide 68 held in position by the tumblers of pin and tumbler arrangements shown generally at 69p and 69:, extending between the lock slide and lock housing 63 in aligned cyclindrical guideways g. The pin and tumblers 69 are biased inwardly towards keyway 70, are held in place by conventional lock structures. not shown. and are slidable toward and away from the keyway axis. As is usual, when the pins are depressed they act to dispose the tumblers within the housing to form a rigid column. consisting of the key. pins and slide, moveable within the housing.

As most clearly disclosed in FIG. 12, spring 71 coiled about pivot pin 65 bears against an inner surface of lock housing 63 within the spring retainer area 71 (best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12) and the bottom of closure cap 66, thus biasing the cap toward the closed position, as seen in FIG. 11, in which position the upper surface of the peripheral extension 67 of closure cap 66 underlies and is retained in the closed position via surface 72 of lock slide 68.

Below extension 67 is camming surface 73 of the lock slide, the functioning of which shall be described.

Within the filler pipe is disposed the key 81 supported on the discontinuous and compressible ring 88 via projection 89 extending upwardly and inwardly of the filler pipe to position the key 81 past the aproned entry flange 90 for vertical alignment with the keyway 70 and false bottom 91 and key entry slot S of the lock housing 60.

The ring 88 is inserted and secured to the filler pipe. again, in any well known manner such as by fastbonding or the like. In this particular embodiment. extension 89 at its upper end provides a forked guideway 95-95a for receiving the sides of a lock housing 63 to thereby center key 81 relative to the keyway 70, and in this respect, the outer surfaces of revolution of the collar 62 and lock housing 60 are so positioned relative to the inner surface of revolution of the aproned portion 90a of filler pipe 80 as to assist in aligning the key 81 and the keyway 70.

Thus, when the nozzle 61 incorporating the key operating locking device 60 of this embodiment of the invention is inserted into the filler pipe, the sides of the housing 63 meet the outwardly diverging ends of forked guide 95-95:: to guide the key 81 through the slot S of false bottom 91 of the housing into the keyway 70 of lock slide 68 whereby the cuts 81a of key 81 positions the pins and tumblers to thereby release the slide for vertical movement upwardly via the upward force of key 81 upon the pins and slide, the tumblers now being disposed within the housing. Resultingly. camming surface 73 contacts the lower edge of extension 67 to open the closure 66 against the bias of spring 71. A slide holding knob 96' at the top of lock slide 68 is pressed into the slide holding knob catch 96 to hold the closure 66 in the opened position in the filler pipe against the bias of spring 70 with the lower surface of closure 66 pressed against vertically aligned surfaces v1 and v2 of slide 68 and housing bottom 91. The slide knob and catch arrangement prevents the sliding of slide 68 and thus the nozzle from inadvertently being dislodged from the filler pipe during unattended filling as the key is now captured in the retained slide.

Upon withdrawal of the nozzle 60 from the filler pipe 80, the key is withdrawn from the keyway and slot 8 in the false bottom 91. During withdrawal of the key, contact between the key and pins effects relative sliding movement between the slide and housing pulling the knob 95 from catch 96, bringing surface 73 below pivot pin 65 to permit extension 67 to pivot under pressure from spring 71. Surface 72, while descending, contacts extension 67 during closing of closure 66 and assists spring 71 in that function until closure 66 is again retained in the closed position as previously described. Key 81 is then permitted to be withdrawn fully as pins and tumblers 69 are again aligned in the slide and housing guideways and are movable via the peaks of the key, away from the axis of the keyway against the bias of the inner lock structures.

It is noted that in the embodiment in FIGS. 10-14 the lock slide is rectangular in shape as opposed to the usual cylindrical lock tumbler construction to assure alignment of the tumblers 69. It should also be noted that the slide and housing could be curved along the vertical axes thereof to accommodate nozzle curvature, for instance.

It should also be noted that in the embodiment of FIGS. l0-l4, the closure element 66 is totally outside of the nozzle, offering no resistance to gas flow when opened and could be constructed so that the nozzle is under gas feeding pressure at all times, if desirable.

The constructions herein are strong deterrents to fuel pilferage which is a serious problem with vehicle fleet owners as well as preventing the wrong fuel being accidentally supplied to the fuel tank. the latter also being a serious problem. The above-described attachments are fitted in the standard fuel filler pipe and fuel nozzle respectively, easily and inexpensively. in addition, the attachment in the vehicle filler pipe will not prevent that vehicle from receiving fuel from an ordinary fuel pump which does not have a corresponding tube extension attachment in its standard fuel nozzle.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for preventing fuel pilferage and/or incorrect supply, comprising the combination of coacting attachments on a fuel filler pipe member and fuel pump nozzle member, said attachments including an element in one of said members having at least one outwardly, axially extending projection, a tube on the other of said members, means for opening and closing the end of said tube, latch and catch means between said opening and closing means and said tube, means retaining said opening and closing means in the closed position, axially extending means for receiving said at least one projection, means movable by said at least one projection when inserted in said receiving means for unlatching said latch and catch means, for releasing said opening and closing means from said retaining means and for moving the same to an open position said receiving means comprising a lock having a lock slide longitudinally slidable between lock and open positions and wherein said at least one projection comprises key means for operating said slide.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said element includes a partial annular ring constituting means for mounting the element on the inside of a fuel filler pipe member and said tube includes a collar constituting means for mounting the tube at the free end of a fuel pump nozzle member.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said lock slide is longitudinally slidable by means laterally movable within a key way in the slide, said opening and closing means is a closure for the end of said tube, said retaining means includes means for mounting said closure for pivotal movement to and from a position covering the open end of said tube and an open position away from the open end, said mounting means comprising surface means on said slide for retaining and moving said closure from and to the covering and open positions upon sliding movement of said slide and cooperating guide means are provided on said attachments for guiding said key way and key to mating relationship.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said closure includes a lateral mounting projection pivoted to said tube and extending into engagement with said surface means.

5. The combination of claim 3, wherein spring means are provided for biasing said closure to the closed position.

6. The combination of claim 3, wherein said lock has an outer housing attached to the side of said tube and said guiding means comprises a pair of projections extending from said element on either side of said key means in such spaced relation as to receive and guide said housing and said receiving means into fitting relationship with said key means.

7. The combination of claim 3, wherein said lock has an outer housing providing a false bottom with a slot to receive said projection, means are provided for stopping the slide of said lock slide at both ends of said housing, and catch means are provided for holding said slide in the open position.

8. In combination, closure means for the open end of the fuel pump nozzle and means for mounting and operating the same, said mounting and operating means including a lock having a lock slide longitudinally slidable from and to lock and open positions by means laterally movable within a key way in the slide, pivot means supporting said closure means for pivotal movement to and from a position covering the open end of the nozzle and an open position away from the open end, said mounting and operating means comprising surface means on said slide for retaining and moving said closure means from and to the covering and open positions upon sliding movement of said slide, key means on a fuel filler pipe for engagement in said key way to operate said laterally movable means and free said slide for longitudinal sliding movement between said lock and open positions, and means for guiding said key way and key into engagement.

l l l t l' 

1. Apparatus for preventing fuel pilferage and/or incorrect supply, comprising the combination of co-acting attachments on a fuel filler pipe member and fuel pump nozzle member, said attachments including an element in one of said members having at least one outwardly, axially extending projection, a tube on the other of said members, means for opening and closing the end of said tube, latch and catch means between said opening and closing means and said tube, means retaining said opening and closing means in the closed position, axially extending means for receiving said at least one projection, means movable by said at least one projection when inserted in said receiving means for unlatching said latch and catch means, for releasing said opening and closing means from said retaining means and for moving the same to an open position said receiving means comprising a lock having a lock slide longitudinally slidable between lock and open positions and wherein said at least one projection comprises key means for operating said slide.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said element includes a partial annular ring constituting means for mounting the element on the inside of a fuel filler pipe member and said tube includes a collar constituting means for mounting the tube at the free end of a fuel pump nozzle member.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said lock slide is longitudinally slidable by means laterally movable within a key way in the slide, said opening and closing means is a closure for the end of said tube, said retaining means includes means for mounting said closure for pivotal movement to and from a position covering the open end of said tube and an open position away from the open end, said mounting means comprising surface means on said slide for retaining and moving said closure from and to the covering and open positions upon sliding movement of said slide and cooperating guide means are provided on said attachments for guiding said key way and key to mating relationship.
 4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said closure includes a lateral mounting projection pivoted to said tube and extending into engagement with said surface means.
 5. The combination of claim 3, wherein spring means are provided for biasing said closure to the closed position.
 6. The combination of claim 3, wherein said lock has an outer housing attached to the side of said tube and said guiding means comprises a pair of projections extending from said element on either side of said key means in such spaced relation as to receive and guide said housing and said receiving means into fitting relationship with said key means.
 7. The combination of claim 3, wherein said lock has an outer housing providing a false bottom with a slot to receive said projection, means are provided for stopping the slide of said lock slide at both ends of said housing, and catch means are provided for holding said slide in the open position.
 8. In combination, closure means for the open end of the fuel puMp nozzle and means for mounting and operating the same, said mounting and operating means including a lock having a lock slide longitudinally slidable from and to lock and open positions by means laterally movable within a key way in the slide, pivot means supporting said closure means for pivotal movement to and from a position covering the open end of the nozzle and an open position away from the open end, said mounting and operating means comprising surface means on said slide for retaining and moving said closure means from and to the covering and open positions upon sliding movement of said slide, key means on a fuel filler pipe for engagement in said key way to operate said laterally movable means and free said slide for longitudinal sliding movement between said lock and open positions, and means for guiding said key way and key into engagement. 